The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Austria > Administrative law and public sector

The team at Schoenherr (Schönherr Rechtsanwälte) has a core focus on regulatory matters and advises on the full spectrum of public law ranging from constitutional, administrative and environmental law to energy, data protection and public private partnerships. The team has notable expertise in the life sciences, gaming, export, health services and telecoms sectors. Practice head Christian Schmelz  focuses on environmental and construction law, frequently assisting with water, forestry and mining law. Bernd Rajal leads the projects and energy team and regularly advises on the implementation of the EU Third Energy Package. Counsel Günther Leissler has expertise in telecoms, data protection and data security; he leads the tech regulation group.

bpv Hügel's public law practice has evolved from a focus on municipality advice and energy undertakings to include telecoms, state aid and environmental law. Practice heads Christian Schneider and Christian Macho have particular strength in environmental impact assessments, planning, zoning and waste management law. Schneider also represents clients in administrative procedures and assists them with planning and environment matters including waste management. Macho has an additional focus on real estate, construction and regional planning.

Jointly headed by Hans Kristoferitsch and Stefan Huber, the team at Cerha Hempel covers all fields of public law, specifically regulated industries, environmental law, medical law, higher education law and consumer product regulation. Kristoferitsch is an expert in EU law who also undertakes EU litigation, while Huber assists with environmental and constitutional law issues. In the energy sector, the team advises on matters involving smart meters, wind farm operation and pricing zones. Associate Armin Schwabl has a particular focus on life sciences, pharmaceutical matters, data protection and trade law.

Fellner Wratzfeld & Partners deals primarily with environmental law, for example with applications for industrial and business facility licences and the preparation of legal opinions and studies on alternative possibilities. The team also assists public sector clients with the implementation of environmentally relevant EU directives. Michael Hecht is the head of the public, environmental and planning practice. His personal work revolves around environmental due diligence, environmental impact assessments and PPPs. Clemens Gabriel provides key support, especially in real estate and state aid law matters.

Wolf Theiss Rechtsanwalte GmbH & CoKG advises on Austrian administrative and constitutional matters as well as EU law issues relating to life sciences, regulated industries and insurance supervisory matters, among others. Practice head Kurt Retter has additional experience of regulatory law in relation to medical devices, medicinal products and nutrition, also advising on gambling law, data protection, aviation and infrastructure projects. Senior associate Stefan Lampert is an expert in renewable energy and particularly wind energy, with his practice also involving nature conservation issues and environmental impact assessments.

In addition to covering traditional areas of public law, DORDA Rechtsanwaelte GmbH also assists with matters of trade and food law, product labelling and telecoms law. Department head Bernhard Müller has in-depth knowledge of life sciences, healthcare and the oil and gas sectors. The team is also active in planning and advises real estate developers on urban development projects.

Eisenberger & Herzog has a core focus on regulated industries, including infrastructure, energy and banking and finance, advising clients on all aspects of public and administrative law. Practice head Georg Eisenberger handles a variety of projects relating to zoning, water protection and world heritage sites, among others. Klagenfurt-based Tatjana Katalan-Dworak advises on road and rail infrastructure, spatial planning and industrial plant operation.

PwC Legal Austria-oehner & partner launched a public and regulatory department in April 2019 following its merger with Werinos-Sydow & Nehajova Rechtsanwälte OG. Team head Stefanie Werinos-Sydow is supported by associate Theresa Karall, as well as senior associate Sandra Kasper, who was a new arrival from Schoenherr (Schönherr Rechtsanwälte) in July 2019. Werinos-Sydow advises on a variety of work including planning and permitting procedures for infrastructure projects and water usage and energy projects.

Binder Grösswang applies a multi-disciplinary approach to its administrative and public law practice, frequently collaborating with partners from corporate, banking and finance, real estate and litigation teams. The team is led by Johannes Barbist, an expert in energy and state aid law. The firm's service portfolio includes environmental law, trade licences and other authorisations to secure market access for companies and their products.

CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz Rechtsanwälte GmbH's public law practice is jointly led by Bernt Elsner and Robert Keisler. The former regularly represents clients in administrative and constitutional court proceedings and the latter acts for clients in the healthcare, construction, logistics and tourism industries. Areas of expertise include trade law, state aid, construction and commercial law, industrial plant construction and data protection.

Saxinger, Chalupsky & Partners (SCWP Schindhelm) advises on a range of industrial projects, including on raw material extractions and waste treatment facilities. Department head Hanno Liebmann has core expertise in transport related public law, particularly railway as well as tram line infrastructure. Markus Nussbaumer is in charge of the integrated environmental law practice, specialising in environmental audits and change of land use procedures.